Blog: Local farmer supports Geneseo Ag Alumni

Thursday

Jul 3, 2014 at 12:15 PM

Henry County farmer Dean Olson has directed a $2,500 donation to the Geneseo Ag Alumni. Funded by America's Farmers Grow Communities, the donation will help students attend leadership training camps and career building events. The money will also help support college scholarships.

Emily Hereford, America's Farmers Grow Communities

Henry County farmer Dean Olson has directed a $2,500 donation to the Geneseo Ag Alumni. Funded by America’s Farmers Grow Communities, the donation will help students attend leadership training camps and career building events. The money will also help support college scholarships.

Thanks to the support of farmers across the country, more than $3.2 million is being directed to nonprofits in 1,289 counties in 39 states.

“The money is going towards leadership programs and scholarships to further the student’s education opportunities,” said Ag Alumni President Dusty Olsen. “I think Grow Communities is a good program. Anytime we can help students out is a good thing.”

America’s Farmers Grow Communities works directly with farmers to support nonprofit organizations like the Geneseo Ag Alumni, who are doing important work in their communities. The program offers farmers the chance to win $2,500, which is then donated to the farmer’s nonprofit of choice. The search for funding to sustain and enhance programs is a year-round job for nonprofit organizations across the country. Through America’s Farmers Grow Communities, farmers have been able to support a variety of groups, such as schools, fire departments, community centers and youth organizations like 4-H and FFA.

America’s Farmers Grow Communities launched in 2010, and has since donated over $13 million to more than 5,200 nonprofit organizations across the country. America’s Farmers Grow Communities, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, is part of the America’s Farmers initiative, which highlights and celebrates the important contributions of farmers like Dean Olson.

For a complete list of Grow Communities winners and more program information, please visit growcommunities.com.

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About America’s Farmers

The America’s Farmers campaign is an advocacy program celebrating U.S. farmers through communications, awards and special programs that highlight the importance of modern American agriculture.

America’s Farmers initiatives include:

America’s Farmers Grow Communities, which supports rural communities by offering farmers the chance to win $2,500 for their favorite local nonprofit organization.

America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education, which supports rural education by offering farmers the chance to nominate local school districts, which can compete for a $10,000 or $25,000 merit-based grant to enhance math and science education.

America’s Farmers Mom of the Year, which celebrates women in agriculture by offering the chance to win up to $10,000 and the title of “National Farm Mom of the Year”.

America’s Farmers Grow Ag Leaders, which launches this year in Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Nebraska, North Carolina and South Carolina, and aims to encourage the next generation to remain involved in agriculture by offering students the chance to apply for a $1,500 scholarship.